2013 OTA/Offseason Schedule

[Demi]

Lol, when did we sign Mr. False Start again?

I assumed he was just using him as an example of guys that just aren't that good, and no amount of mind game nonsense like threatening them with other bums is going to make a lick of difference.

[Mothman]

I assumed he was just using him as an example of guys that just aren't that good, and no amount of mind game nonsense like threatening them with other bums is going to make a lick of difference.

... and remember folks, they're "bums" because Demi's Draft Dictionary clearly defines any player chosen later in the draft as a bum and it competition as "mind game nonsense".

[The Breeze]

... Demi's Draft Dictionary .

can I get that at Amazon?

[Demi]

... and remember folks, they're "bums" because Demi's Draft Dictionary clearly defines any player chosen later in the draft as a bum and it competition as "mind game nonsense".

Oh I'm sorry, "potential hall of famers".
Bunch of jibba jabber coach speak non-sense. That's the dictionary you should be consulting. Especially coming out of OTAs.

[dead_poet]

Travis Bond - G - Vikings

The Vikings are giving seventh-round OL Travis Bond a shot to earn swing-tackle duties.

Bond played mostly guard at North Carolina, but has tackle size at 6-foot-6, 329 pounds with 35.5-inch arms. "I think I can do it," Bond said. The Vikings are thin behind starting tackles Matt Kalil and Phil Loadholt, but limited athletically, we doubt Bond has the skill to make the transition from ACC guard to NFL tackle as a rookie.
Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities

[Eli]

It would be awesome to actually find a seventh round lineman who could be your first option at backup tackle, even if it takes a season or two for him to develop. But with OTAs being as limited as they are with respect to contact, I can't help but think it's too early to tell what they really have in Travis Bond. He's big, but can he play? If he really does have the talent, how did a guy that big, from a major football program, end up being drafted at #214?

And if he can play tackle, surely he can play guard, which was his position all though college. With a need to upgrade the guard positions, why not try him there?

[Mothman]

It would be awesome to actually find a seventh round lineman who could be your first option at backup tackle, even if it takes a season or two for him to develop. But with OTAs being as limited as they are with respect to contact, I can't help but think it's too early to tell what they really have in Travis Bond. He's big, but can he play? If he really does have the talent, how did a guy that big, from a major football program, end up being drafted at #214?

And if he can play tackle, surely he can play guard, which was his position all though college. With a need to upgrade the guard positions, why not try him there?

They probably will but OTAs are a good time to try things out and see if they fit. If I recall correctly, they tried Griffen at LB last year during OTAs. They probably just want to see if Bond can play outside but that doesn't mean this is a permanent position switch.

[dead_poet]

Why does it seem like Demarcus Love is the forgotten man? Am I the only one that kinda sorta thinks he's not awful and one of our better backup tackles? Of course, he needs to stay healthy this season.

[Eli]

Why does it seem like Demarcus Love is the forgotten man? Am I the only one that kinda sorta thinks he's not awful and one of our better backup tackles? Of course, he needs to stay healthy this season.

I was wondering the same thing, although I can't say I recall much of his play from preseason games or whether he's actually any good.

[losperros]

Why does it seem like Demarcus Love is the forgotten man? Am I the only one that kinda sorta thinks he's not awful and one of our better backup tackles? Of course, he needs to stay healthy this season.

Well, for me it's because I just don't know much about him at this point. Wasn't Love inactive for all the 2011 games? And then he ended up on IR.

IIRC, Love was a starting guard for the Razorbacks in the SEC, so he must have some talent.

[S197]

Why does it seem like Demarcus Love is the forgotten man? Am I the only one that kinda sorta thinks he's not awful and one of our better backup tackles? Of course, he needs to stay healthy this season.

I admittedly haven't seen much of Love but I remember him getting destroyed in the Senior Bowl at tackle.

[dead_poet]

A Nice Day For WR Stephen Burton At OTA No. 7; Notebook

But this offseason Burton is on a mission to prove he can be a contributor for the Vikings during the regular season. On Monday Burton made a pair of highlight-reel catches, coming across the middle to make a leaping grab in front of the safety early in practice and then running underneath a monster heave from Christian Ponder down the right sideline for a long reception late in practice. During individual drills, WRs coach George Stewart mentioned three times that Burton had “No tells!” while running routes, indicating to me that the two had picked up on flaws in his route running that the player has since eliminated.

While games are not won or lost in Organized Team Activities (OTAs), jobs are most certainly in the balance at this time of year. Burton has been a player who has shown slight improvement during his time in Purple, which is why he’s still on the roster. But so far during OTAs, Burton is making plays that represent more than slight improvement. He’s often times the first to go through a drill, and he’s also often times the one hauling in an impressive reception.

The point here is not to hand out a roster spot to Burton, rather, it’s notable that a player most considered an afterthought for much of his career is now looking like a player who will give coaches and scouts yet another hard decision when it comes time to shape the roster.

Other notes here: http://www.vikings.com/news/blog/articl ... a8461aac2f

Plays Of The Day
Aside from Burton making a couple of highlight-worthy receptions, other top plays were registered by…
-- TE Rhett Ellison with a 1-handed grab while running down the right seam and past both a LB and S.
-- S Mistral Raymond grabbing an INT and CB Chris Cook also grabbing an INT just moments later.
-- RB Adrian Peterson reversing field rapidly to outsmart and outrun a pursuing and flowing defense.

[Eli]

An amazing thing about Stephen Burton, who is beginning his third season in the NFL, is that he's only 23 years old. He's younger than several of the 2013 draft picks and UDFAs that the Vikings just signed.

[King James]

Stephon Burton is another practice player. Good at practice but doesnt show up at the game. Maybe we'll see how good he is during training camp with the pads on. Burton had 3 seasons to prove himself and his only TD was a fluke because the pass was intended for Rudolph but it ended up bouncing off his finger tips and landing in Burton's hands. Burton is horrible. Cut him

[Mothman]

Stephon Burton is another practice player. Good at practice but doesnt show up at the game. Maybe we'll see how good he is during training camp with the pads on. Burton had 3 seasons to prove himself and his only TD was a fluke because the pass was intended for Rudolph but it ended up bouncing off his finger tips and landing in Burton's hands. Burton is horrible. Cut him

Yeesh, what's the hurry?

He may just be a good practice player or he may be a young guy who needed some time to find his game as a pro. I haven't been impressed with him thus far but they've invested time in developing him and maybe that's about to pay off. If it doesn't look that way during training camp and the preseason then sure, cut him, but why be hasty about it? Burton's a small school player trying to make it in the pros and he's had 2 seasons to prove himself, not 3. Sometimes the third time is the charm.